I have an idea to put a cheap Android tablet at my front door - this would provide a Webcam for anyone who comes to the door etc.
I plan to use an Android to control my doorbell (it will send me a notification through one of the push notification services) and a snapshot of who is at the door, i would then if i decide startup a webcam with them from the Android tablet from wherever i happen to be.
Anyone know if this is possible and where to start looking ?
Every time i search i just get remote control apps from Android phones to Arduino
Hello arduino and android friend.
Yes it is possible....for example in this application https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=arduino.bluetooth.terminal
arduino sends back data to android over bluetooth....( for example temperature ).I can create for you a specific application about your project.
For example when digital pin is HIGH send this information to android device and the screen change the color...or play something...
I do not understand what would make the arduino? It would open the door electromagnetic ?
Android door side sends over wifi the camera capture to another android inside your home or to TV monitor?
I have a PIR motion sensor on the entry path to my house from the street - sensor gets tripped say 5 metres from the front door
Arduino gets the sensor info, sends an internet notification that someone is approaching my front door through one of the many free services available
Wakes up the Android tablet and tells it to take a picture and send it to me as a notification (longer term based on presence sensing it might send it to the TV screens or other terminals in the house).
By this time the person has arrived at the front door and pushed the doorbell
Based on looking at the picture received i can decide who it is and whether i want to have a webchat (if i am not home) with them - using the Android built in Webcam
So basically i am trying to the use the Android as a smart webcam - as these are so cheap now it would seem to give me lots of flexibility - i was thinking of something like Websockets etc between the two devices.
Very nice project,idea to work as secondary security system.
It needs works from android side....arduino side is very easy...
Arduino+Bluetooth module side: IF DIGITAL PIN = HIGH THEN serial output = "PIR SENSOR ENABLE"
Arduino sends over bluetooth the message to Android.
Android receive the message over bluetooth and "wake up".
Android captures photo from door side and send it to administrator user (You) as email...
I think you must root the android device for this function...
Your project is a mix from all my arduino + android applications....
A cheap and easy way is this SUPER IR ANDROID APPLICATIONS - ARDUINO PROJECTS or GSM shield.
Or you need my oppossite of IO SMS Bluetooth - SMS REMOTE CONTROL android application is inside to my website.
When you receive the sms or call from your door system you can access your door side Android (root) device and open the Camera,Flash LED ( night ),Skype,anything....
with Remote Android application or similar....from your smartphone ( administrator ).
I think is the time to create an android application for this case...IO Bluetooth to SMS or CALL to administrator...
For MMS or Email it needs root smartphone...not permission for this function normally without user.
Thanks.
yep almost there - but instead of SMS/MMS use one of the notification engines out there - plenty of them - PushingBox might be an example where it can also send the picture etc.
I will have a look at your site thanks and then start digging a bit more with this now i know it is possible
Why do you need external sensors (on top of Android camera) to sense a person?
Why don't you just use the camera to look for differences in the picture... If there is a significant difference in the camera footage then film or capture.
I would imagine because of the limited focal length of the builtin camera it would be difficult to accurately capture anything prior to it actually being directly at my door.
Additionally because of the way my house is setup the front door is just after a turn in the entry path so it does not actually look along the length of the path.